Bourbon whiskey producer Augusta Distillery plans to invest $23 million in a new operation in Bracken County, Kentucky. The facility will be located in an existing 40,000-square-foot building and will create 14 full-time jobs for local residents. The Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority has preliminarily approved Augusta Distillery for up to $200,000 in tax incentives. Judd Weis, co-founder and board vice chairman of Augusta Distillery, said: "The Augusta Distillery team is proud of our plan to build a state-of-the-art facility in Augusta. Over the next few years, we will be committing over $23 million to create an extraordinary distillery, guest experience and event centre." He continued: "Our hope is that, by delighting our consumers, this investment will create a spike in local tourism and additional economic opportunity for our neighbours in Augusta and Bracken County. We would like to thank the Commonwealth of Kentucky, city of Augusta and Bracken County for providing the support necessary to make this project a reality." It is anticipated that construction will begin this summer, with the facility operational by summer 2024.

Weetabix Food Company has acquired Lacka Foods, owner of the Űfit high-protein shake brand. Backed by Weetabix owner Post Holdings, the deal is expected to create growth opportunities for Lacka Foods both in the UK and in international markets. The two companies' operations will remain separate, with Lacka Foods' management team continuing to run the business. Austin Bailey, founder and managing director of Lacka Foods, said: “Securing investment from a like-minded British business and family favourite such as Weetabix is a transformational step in the Lacka Foods story, and will help accelerate our pace of growth in a rapidly expanding category both here in the UK and internationally”. The financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed.

Swedish meat alternative brand Oumph! has launched its latest plant-based meat innovation with the release of new Spicy Drums. The new Spicy Drums are made from soya protein and are 100% plant-based and gluten-free. They can be cooked straight from the freezer in just 15 minutes. Domenico Speciale, general manager UK at Livekindly Collective, said: "After the successful launch of Fry’s Popcorn Chick’n, Livekindly Collective are adding another fantastic savoury snacking product. Great tasting Oumph! Spicy Drums are convenient and tap into the growing trend for spicier snacking products. We are delighted to be working with Iceland on the first phase of the launch." Oumph! Spicy Drums are available in Iceland and The Food Warehouse for an RRP of £3.50 per 280g pack.

Frozen food producer The Real Good Food Company has opened a new manufacturing facility in Bolingbrook, Illinois. The gluten-free-certified plant is Real Good Foods' second production facility, and is expected to more than double the company's manufacturing capacity. Real Good Foods says that Bolingbrook – located 30 miles outside of Chicago – offers proximity to raw materials and distribution hubs. The facility is expected to help the company improve its margins and accelerate profitability. The new production capacity will be brought online in a phased approach throughout the year. At full capacity, the site is expected to support approximately $250 million to $300 million in net sales. "As we continue to work to increase capacity to meet demand for our products, Bolingbrook represents the next step in our growth journey," said Gerard Law, CEO of Real Good Foods. "Opening the Bolingbrook facility within six months of signing the lease demonstrates the speed, agility and experience of our organisation. I am proud of our dedicated team and supplier partners that have worked long hours to open this plant on time and on budget." Bryan Freeman, executive chairman of Real Good Foods, added: "Our mission is to make our craveable, nutritious comfort foods accessible to everyone across the United States and, eventually, throughout the world. Opening Bolingbrook is a significant milestone for the company as we build capacity and expand our reach."

TricorBraun has entered into an agreement to acquire flexible packaging company PBFY from Pacific Western Sales. Based in California, PBFY provides flexible packaging solutions for brands within the food, coffee, tea and health and beauty markets. The company's portfolio includes stand-up pouches and side-gusseted bags, as well as custom options including label printing and design. The acquisition will help to expand TricorBraun's flexible packaging division, TricorBraun Flex. PBFY will be integrated with TricorBraun Flex following a transition period. Court Carruthers, president and CEO of TricorBraun, said: "PBFY is an important addition to our industry-leading flexible packaging offerings, enabling us to provide customers with expanded services and supply chain options". He continued: "We have great admiration for the successful business the PBFY team has built and we look forward to investing in its continued growth. We are pleased to welcome PBFY to the TricorBraun family." The transaction is expected to close later this month. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

US labelling solutions provider Brook + Whittle has entered into an agreement to acquire the custom labels group within Cenveo. Brook + Whittle, which was recently acquired by Genstar Capital, manufactures flexible packaging and prime label solutions with different capabilities, including pressure-sensitive options and shrink sleeves. Connecticut-based Cenveo produces custom labels for the retail, food, beverage, and other sectors. The acquisition will enhance Brook + Whittle's position in ecommerce and digital label printing across North America. Andy Johnson, president of the Cenveo custom labels group, said: "We are excited to accelerate our growth in joining the Brook + Whittle team. Their coast-to-coast platform and broad portfolio of capabilities will bring additional value to our client base and my team and I look forward to bringing our expertise, industry-leading turnaround times and outstanding product quality to the Brook + Whittle business."

US frozen treat brand GoodPop has launched gluten- and dairy-free oat milk dessert sandwiches in a chocolate vanilla flavour. GoodPop says that its new plant-based dessert sandwiches mark the brand’s first foray into stickless frozen treats. Made with non-GMO ingredients, the “cleaned-up classic” contains 110 calories and only 8g of sugar. The sandwiches are also kosher, and free from refined sugars and sugar alcohol sweeteners. "We love reinventing classic nostalgic favourites with better-for-you ingredients, which means they have a much shorter, better-for-you ingredient list and are allergen-friendly, but without sacrificing taste," said Daniel Goetz, CEO and founder of GoodPop. "We decided to enter new territory because we saw an opportunity in the market to recreate the cult classic ice cream sandwiches like the ones we grew up with in the 80s and 90s, but with cleaner ingredients that are more delicious and better for people and the planet.” With an SRP of $4.99-5.99 per box of four, the new offering is available at Whole Foods Market, Sprouts, HEB, Gelson's and Raley's, as well as online via the GoodPop shop.

UK free-from brand Kirsty's has released a gluten and dairy-free fish pie ready meal to add to its portfolio of free-from offerings. The "first to market" Fish & Veg Pie contains MSC certified smoked haddock and pollock, cooked with spinach and peas in a dairy-free cheese sauce made from potato milk and topped with root vegetable mash. The ready meal contains one of your five a day, 317 calories and is low in both salt and saturated fat. Kirsty Henshaw, founder of Kirsty's, commented: "This product has been five years in the making for our product development team and we’re delighted with the results. We’re proud to be bringing the UK’s first gluten and dairy-free Fish & Veg Pie to market and given the positive reaction we’ve had to the meal during our development phase we’re excited for our customers to try it.” The new Fish & Veg Pie is available nationwide in Sainsbury’s for an RRP of £3.25.

Mondelēz International is facing allegations that illegal child labour has been found on farms in Ghana that supply the confectionery giant with cocoa. In the UK, Channel 4's Dispatches released exclusive footage on Sunday that allegedly shows children as young as ten being used to harvest cocoa pods within the Cadbury supply chain. In Channel 4's investigation, Cadbury Exposed, Antony Barnett is seen going undercover in Ghana, West Africa. Mondelēz International has urged the TV investigations team to share information following the allegations so that it can "act with the urgency required". A Mondelēz International spokesperson stated: "We’re deeply concerned by the incidents documented in the Dispatches programme. We explicitly prohibit child labour in our operations and have been working relentlessly to take a stand against this, making significant efforts through our Cocoa Life programme to improve the protection of children in the communities where we source cocoa, including in Ghana." "The welfare of the children and families featured is our primary concern and we commit to investigating further so we can provide any support needed," the statement continued. Tony's Chocolonely weighed in on the allegations, commenting: "Don’t kid yourself about child labour Cadbury. The first step in eradicating child labour from your supply chain is acknowledging it’s there. ‘Prohibiting’ it doesn’t prevent it. It is widespread throughout the chocolate industry because farmers are not paid enough, live way below the poverty line and have no choice but to use illegal labour."

Abu Dhabi-based investment company ADQ has entered into an agreement to acquire a majority stake in fruit producer and distributor, Unifrutti. Unifrutti produces, trades and distributes more than 100 varieties of fresh produce, including apples, bananas, cherries, grapes and citrus fruits. The deal marks a move by ADQ to expand its food and agriculture portfolio, which also includes investments in Louis Dreyfus Company, Silal, Al Dahra Holding and Agthia Group. Gil Adotevi, executive director of food and agriculture at ADQ, said: "We are developing our food and agriculture portfolio with the aim of generating strong financial returns while bolstering food resilience in the UAE". He continued: "Our investment in Unifrutti would enable ADQ to develop a global platform for fresh produce that complements our other portfolio companies throughout the food value chain. We believe our long-term strategic investment will help accelerate Unifrutti’s next phase of growth and build on its strong position as a leader in the global fresh produce sector." The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals. The financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed.

Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP) has unveiled its CEO transition plan, which will see Ozan Dokmecioglu succeed Bob Gamgort as the company’s chief executive later this year. Currently serving as KDP's CFO and president of international, Dokmecioglu will take over the leadership role on 29 July, and also join the company's board of directors. KDP’s current chairman and CEO Gamgort has agreed to serve as executive chairman for two years. He has also committed to remaining a "significant" investor in the company, maintaining at least half of his shareholdings during his tenure as executive chairman. The transition is said to leverage the “successful partnership” between Gamgort and Dokmecioglu to ensure continuity in the company's leadership and strategic direction. "I am honoured to assume the role of KDP CEO at this important time for our company and look to the future excited by the enormous potential that lies ahead," said Dokmecioglu. KDP lead independent director, Paul Michaels, added: "We are pleased to appoint Ozan as our next CEO after a thorough succession planning process, including the consideration of internal and external candidates. Ozan is an exceptionally strong leader with the skills, experience, values and perspective to lead KDP into the future. We are also fortunate to have Bob in a position to continue working closely with Ozan and the leadership team over the next few years." KDP says that the process to recruit Dokmecioglu's successor as CFO is already underway.

Jaback Group has announced the launch of almond-based frozen dessert pints under its new dairy-free brand, Klimon, at select Walmart stores across the US. The pints are plant-based and gluten-free, and use a proprietary almond-based blend to “capture the decadent texture and creaminess of traditional ice cream, without the dairy”. The flavours now available at Walmart include: Morning Brew, which features coffee-flavoured frozen dessert, almonds and a fudge swirl; Caramel Brûlée, combining salted caramel-flavoured frozen dessert with chocolate cookie crumbs and a caramelised sugar swirl; Cherry Bomb, which pairs cherry-flavoured frozen dessert with Bordeaux cherry chunks and a cherry swirl. The line-up is completed by: Mint Condition, which features mint-flavoured frozen dessert, mini chocolate chips and a fudge swirl; and Sunrise Bang, an orange-flavoured frozen dessert with a cream-flavoured swirl. "We are so proud to be partnering with Walmart for the launch of our brand, and to continue to leave our mark on the plant-based food revolution," said Alex Cotraviwat, CEO and founder of Jaback Group.